Registration

Please note this cruise begins at 10:00 am. Hammocks Beach State Park and FHBI are offering their popular marsh cruise programs. This one and a half to two-hour interpretive tour leaves the Hammocks Beach State Park mainland and navigates the waterways around Bear Island, Huggins Island, and Swansboro on a 35 passenger Coast Guard inspected pontoon boat.

Space is limited and preregistration is required.

A minimum donation of $15.00 per passenger secures a seat on the cruise. Additional donations are welcome and can be made online at fhbi.org/donate or during the cruise.

Proceeds from this year's marsh cruises benefit the Friends of the Hammocks and Bear Island, Inc., the non-profit 501 (c)(3) support group for Hammocks Beach State Park. Some of the most recent projects the friends have helped with is contracting with UNC TV to produce a documentary on the history of the hammocks and Bear Island, the purchase of a golf cart to assist park staff and volunteers on Bear Island; repair and refurbish the barracks on Bear Island for the parks interns; educational materials and supplies; special events including the North Carolina Paddle Festival and Military Appreciation Day; and ongoing educational and interpretive programs. Proceeds this year will go toward events, educational programs, special projects, as well as any assistance that may be requested by Hammocks Beach State Park or the Division of Parks and Recreation.

For more information on becoming a member of Friends of the Hammocks and Bear Island, Inc. go towww.fhbi.org/join.

Participants agree to be rescheduled in the event a minimum of 20 passengers per cruise is not reached or unforeseen circumstances make it necessary to cancel any marsh cruise. FHBI and/or Hammocks Beach State Park reserve the right to cancel or reschedule cruise without prior notice.

Check in time is 9:45. Departure time and length of tour is subject to the discretion of the ferry captain. Average tour length is 90 minutes. Please allow adequate time for arriving and checking in prior to departure.

Cancellation Policy

A decision will be made at 3:00 pm the day before any scheduled marsh cruise event to determine if the minimum of 20 registered paid participants has been reached and allow for the cruise to leave the dock.

In the event a minimum of 20 passengers per cruise is not reached or unforeseen circumstances make it necessary to cancel any marsh cruise, passengers agree to be rescheduled or may receive a refund of the donation. FHBI and/or Hammocks Beach State Park reserve the right to cancel or reschedule any cruise without prior notice. Sorry, no refunds will be given for no shows. Please allow up to 14 business days for refunds to be processed.

Refund requests should be emailed to friends@fhbi.org and will be honored if received by the following deadlines: